#and also now we get to relive the eras yippeeeeee

[vonlipvig]

jules youre the only swiftie i know so i gotta ask: why is it that there are two versions of her songs like a normal one and then a taylor version didnt she make both?????? arent both hers

glad to be your trusted Swiftie Liaison lmao.

to explain, very briefly: in music, there are two types of 'copyrights'. you have the rights to the song itself (composition, lyrics, etc) and the rights to the specific recording of the song, what is called a 'master', from which copies can be made to sell and distribute, in cds, streaming, radio, etc. if you own the master, you can decide what to do with the song.

taylor signed to big machine records in 2005 as their first artist, had a deal for 6 albums with them (from her self titled to reputation), and made them a whole bunch of money. since her contract was about to end, she wanted to buy the masters of her songs from the company, but they said "it would happen only if she renewed her recording contract with Big Machine, agreeing to create more albums under the label for the next decade.". they also sold BMR to scooter braun, so he owned the master now too (he worked with k4nye to make 'famous', etc etc.).

taylor signed to republic records, said to BMR 'oh, so you wanna block me from using my music--from which you grew most of your fortune? no problem, i'm the song-writer, so i still own the copyright to my songs, i'll just re-record all six albums i made with you, own those masters, and make your acquisition completely irrelevant'. and so she did!

that's why we have the taylor's versions now, once again owning the masters to her own songs, rightfully so.

aside from my own involvement as a swiftie, it's such an interesting case that really shows how predatory the music industry and record companies can be, and how important it is for artists to be able to own their own art.

here's the link to the wikipedia article about the situation, with lots of sources to check if you wanna read more! (x)

#i hope i explained it well! i'm not super well versed in law and music copyright and all that #but yeah as much as the rerecordings have been an incredible business move and have given her so much money and acclaim #it really is about the ownership of your own art and not letting yourself be trampled by scumbags #and also now we get to relive the eras yippeeeeee #taylor swift #juli answers